Private Walter George Ashford
| Date of Birth | c. 1882 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 34 |
| Date of Death | 18 September 1917 |
| Service Number | 306953 |
| Military Service | 11th Battalion, Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters) Regiment |
| Merton Address | 61 Boyd Road, Mitcham |
| Local Memorial | Mitcham War Memorial |
Additional Information
Walter was born in Holloway in 1882. His parents, Edward and Mary Ashford baptised Walter and his younger sister Frances in the parish of Holloway on 14 June 1885 while the family were living at 2 Cromwell Road, Islington.
The family were still living at this address in 1891, although Edward Ashford does not appear on the Census as he was working away at the time as an “Extra Theatreman” at the Haymarket Theatre. Walter’s siblings were Rose 20, Emma 14, Frances 6, and Lily 2. An elder brother Frederick aged 20, had left home.
By 1901 the family had moved to Andover Row, in Islington. Edward’s profession was recorded as a Shop Blind Maker with his own business. Walter, now 18, was working for his father. Frances and Lily still lived at home.
The 1911 Census shows that the family had moved to 18 Nutwell Street, Tooting. Edward is now recorded as being unemployed, while Walter is employed as a Labourer, working in the lighting department at the Haymarket Theatre, where his father previously worked. Only Walter and Lily are now living at home, with Lily being employed as a House Domestic.
Walter enlisted at Kingston, initially with the 1/8th Battalion, then with the 11th Battalion. The Battalion mobilised for war on 27 August 1915, landing at Boulogne to join the 70th Brigade. Their unit would have seen action in various battles in France and Ypres, including the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, the Battle of Albert and in 1917 the battle of Pilkelm Ridge.
It is likely that Walter was involved in The Battle of Langemarck (16–18 August 1917). This was the second attack during the 3rd Battle of Ypres against the German 4th Army. Initially, considerable ground was gained but was soon lost back to the Germans. Heavy rainfall, and poor drainage turned the ground into a swamp, which led to the British halting the offensive for another three weeks. Unfortunately, Walter died of wounds a month later, on 18 September 1917, possibly sustaining his injuries during that battle. Walter is buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Belgium, and is commemorated locally on the Mitcham War Memorial.
The address for Walter’s family on the 1918 Electoral Roll is 61 Boyd Road, Mitcham, so it appears the family had moved to this area by the time of Walter’s death. His mother received his last pay of £4.3.5 plus £6.00 War Gratuity.